Category

Description

Pyrithione (peer-i-THYE-one) is used to help control the symptoms of dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp.

This medicine is available without a prescription; however, your doctor may have special instructions on the proper use of this medicine for your medical condition.

Pyrithione is available in the following dosage forms:

Topical

Bar (U.S. and Canada)

Cream (U.S. and Canada)

Lotion (U.S.)

Lotion shampoo (U.S. and Canada)

Before Using This Medicine

If you are using this medicine without a prescription, carefully read and follow any precautions on the label. For pyrithione, the following should be considered:

Allergies—Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to pyrithione. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as preservatives or dyes.

Pregnancy—Pyrithione has not been shown to cause birth defects or other problems in humans.

Breast-feeding—Pyrithione has not been reported to cause problems in nursing babies.

Children—Although there is no specific information comparing use of pyrithione in children with use in other age groups, this medicine is not expected to cause different side effects or problems in children than it does in adults.

Older adults—Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults. Although there is no specific information comparing use of pyrithione in the elderly with use in other age groups, this medicine is not expected to cause different side effects or problems in older people than it does in younger adults.

Other medicines—Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your health care professional if you are using any other topical prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine that is to be applied to the same area of the skin.

Proper Use of This Medicine

For best results, use this medicine at least 2 times a week or as directed by your doctor.

To use:

Before applying this shampoo, wet the hair and scalp with lukewarm water.

Apply enough shampoo to the scalp to work up a lather and rub in well, then rinse.

Apply the shampoo again and rinse thoroughly.

Keep this medicine away from the eyes . If you should accidentally get some in your eyes, flush them thoroughly with water.

Dosing—The dose of pyrithione will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label . The following information includes only the average dose of pyrithione. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so:

For bar dosage form:

For dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis:

Adults and children—Apply to the affected skin of body, face, or scalp once a day at least two times a week. Lather, massage into affected area, rinse, and repeat.

For cream dosage forms:

For dandruff or seborrheic dermatitis:

Adults and children—Apply one to three times a day to affected skin on the body, face, or scalp or as directed by the doctor.

For Brylcreem Antidandruff —Adults: Apply to scalp once a day after shampooing and toweling hair dry. Massage into scalp for one minute.

Children—Use and dose must be determined by the doctor.

For lotion dosage form:

For dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis:

For DermaZinc Scalp : Adults—Apply to scalp one to three times a day or as directed by the doctor.

For DermaZinc Spray : Adults—Apply one spray to affected skin of body, face, or scalp one to three times a day or as directed by the doctor. Medicine should cover a three-inch-square area. Treatment should continue for one week after symptoms lessen.

For DermaZinc Baby : Children—Apply to affected skin of face, body, or scalp one to four times a day or as directed by the doctor.

For lotion shampoo dosage forms:

For dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis:

Adults and children up to 2 years of age—Use once a day as a shampoo on the scalp at least two times a week; however, may be used every day. Apply to wet hair and leave on the scalp for several minutes or massage into scalp vigorously before rinsing.

Children up to 2 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by the doctor.

Missed dose—If you miss a dose of this medicine, use it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule.

Storage—To store this medicine:

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store away from heat and direct light.

Keep the medicine from freezing.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.

Precautions While Using This Medicine

If your condition does not get better after regular use of this medicine, or if it gets worse, check with your doctor.

Side Effects of This Medicine

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if the following side effect occurs:

Less common or rare

Irritation of skin

Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your health care professional.

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